Chapter Nineteen
Edward despised leaving the room where the surgeon attended to Miss Lambert, but he could not bear to view the man cut into her skin or to face the possibility the world would lose her. He had already lost her no matter whether she lived or died, for he was to marry another, but he could not imagine a world where the lady did not exist.
He entered the room where Mr. Jessie stood watch over Marksham. “Thank you, Jessie.”
“The young lady, sir?” the man asked.
“The surgeon is with her now. I do not expect we will know her fate with any confidence for several more days.”
“And the young master?” the stable master inquired.
Edward noted when Marksham’s interest in the matter piqued. “The surgeon will examine the child’s arm to know if it requires more than a regular change of his bandage. The boy is alert and watching over Miss Lambert, along with Mr. Darcy.”
Mr. Jessie nodded his acceptance of Edward’s words. “The young lady takes his lordship under her care right quick. She not accept excuses. The boy heps her tilt that stubborn stallion your brother purchased last year so it not be harming itself. Lord Vincent be mighty fond of horses. Since she came to the estate, the lady and his lordship have called daily at the stables. She and some of the grooms taught the young earl how to clean out the stalls and perform other care of the animals. The boy appeared interested in talkin’ to the stable lads, not ignorin’ them. Miss Lambert, she told the boy that a good earl be knowin’ more than jist sittin’ in his manor and expectin’ others to tend him.”
“I am beginning to think Lady Lindale will know a surprise when she views her younger children again,” Edward remarked as he pulled a chair close to where Jessie had tied Marksham to a straight-back chair. “It is time you and I hold an honest conversation. You have set yourself against an earl of the realm. Before more than a half dozen witnesses, you attempted to take the life of the current Lord Babcock. Though Vincent Jennings is but a child, the earldom will pass through him and, eventually, will be the right of the young lord’s son.” Marksham sat with his head down and did not respond. “This next part is my personal warrant: If Miss Lambert dies, any days you have remaining on this earth will be haunted by me. You will not be able to turn around without encountering me. I will permit the law to execute you, but, if our system of justice fails to do it properly, I will not fail to claim my own justice. Every day, as part of my duties to our King, I teach other men how to kill our country’s enemies. What might I do to those who harm my family or those we cherish?”
Edward leaned forward and asked in a rough whisper, “What did Philip Jennings offer you and your mother to assist him in this matter?”
“Who said my actions had anything to do with my uncle?” the young man said defiantly. “What if I was fighting for Lady Annabelle?”
“Have you even held my niece’s hand? Spoken words of affection? Lady Annabelle’s innocence is intact, but you did play with her affections and her fear for her scattered family. I do admire the girl’s concern for her brother’s future, but I am appalled by her manipulations, which placed many in danger. She has her own reckoning at my hands, which has yet to come, but will occur in due time.”
“I told her what she wished to hear,” Marksham reluctantly admitted.
“Did Jennings send you to Bath to encounter Lady Annabelle ‘upon accident’?”
“I did not know what was required of me,” Marksham said on a heavy sigh. “My father has gone away with another woman. Did you know of my mother’s shame? Of my shame?”
Edward had overheard a few conjectures from a number of the staff employed at the manor house, but he had not known what to make of them until this moment. When they thought no one was listening, the servants spoke quite casually of the relationship between Jennings and his sister in marriage. Realizing the blocks had fallen into place, Edward told the truth, just not the whole truth. “I have heard the whispers.”
“Uncle Philip is not my father,” Marksham declared in harsh tones. “My mother has sworn on the Blessed Mother’s name that there is no truth in my father’s accusation. My own father has started the rumor to be rid of us both, so he might take up with his mistress. He never affected my mother or me, just himself.”
“Would not your mother’s turning to Jennings for assistance and comfort serve as proof of the rumors?” Edward asked in confusion.
“Where else might she go? She has no male relatives, except me. Only my uncle offered us a hand. Father has ordered us from his manor. Our only home. He means to petition the Lords to grant him a divorce. My mother and I will soon be society’s version of a leech. I promised her I would protect her.”
“And so, you did Jennings’s bidding?” Edward asked.
“If Uncle Philip was the earl, it would be easier for him to protect my mother. My father is simply a baron, and his barony is only recently created. He is the 3rd Baron Marksham. Uncle Philip promised to lead others to deny my father’s petition for divorce. In that manner, my mother would remain a baroness and be entitled to her widow’s portion when he passes. He might send her off or go to Scotland himself and live there for six months and seek a divorce in that manner, but he could not deny either her or me. I promised I would protect her, no matter the consequences.”
“Should I bring Mr. Jennings in and have him corroborate your story?” Edward asked without sympathy.
“I imagine he, his family, and my mother and younger siblings are on their way to Hull by now. They were to retrieve me from the village. My dressing, as such, in these clothes, was so you would not recognize me.”
“I recognized you,” Mr. Jessie declared. “Seen you at church services at home before yer leavin’ with Lady Annabelle. I be suspicious of how the young mistress watched ye. I’d say yer disguise not be very good. Your hair bein’ more red than yellar made ye conspicuous.”
Marksham sighed heavily. “Anyway, such was the plan. To take passage to Italy. If it fell through, Uncle Philip agreed to see to my mother’s welfare. He has been preparing for our exit for weeks, while I was in Bath setting the plan to be rid of young Babcock. Such is the reason my uncle released the majority of the Babbington staff, so there would be no witnesses to the boy’s death. Most within the house now are his servants.
“It was I who insisted, even after your arrival, that we continue with his plan. I was to set out to encounter the coach the boy was in and do away with him on the road or when he stopped at an inn. However, your family coach arrived earlier than any of us expected. Those within must have discovered Lady Annabelle’s true destination earlier than we anticipated. Lady Annabelle was to instruct her younger sister not to tell her brother of our coming to Babbington until after the turn towards Easingwold, so they would be further north on their way to Scotland and would be required to turn back to reach the estate. We thought it would be several days before the twins appeared.”
“All very convoluted,” Edward remarked, but he realized how fortunate they had all been to have surrounded the boy. The colonel held no doubt Miss Lambert would have fought to keep the children alive. They might all have been left for dead on some less traveled road while they simply meant to seek Annabelle in the northern shires or the border between England and Scotland.
“It was my uncle’s suggestion that we kill the boy quickly, especially after you and your cousin arrived unexpectedly.”
“Mr. Jessie,” Edward said with a huff full of resignation, “would you fetch ointment and bandages for Mr. Marksham’s wrists. Afterwards, I will require you to stand guard over him until we might turn him over to the proper authorities. Tie up his legs also. He can sleep on the floor.”
“Aye, Colonel.”
The man rose to do Edward’s bidding. “And ask Mrs. Murray to find me.”
“Yes, sir.”
“What becomes of me?” Marksham asked.
“Such depends on whether your loyalty remains with Philip Jennings or not.”
For the next few minutes, neither Edward nor Marksham said a word. The colonel stood where he might look out of the window, but he saw none of the estate. He held no choice: He must pursue Philip Jennings. However, he feared if he went too far or was gone too long, Miss Lambert might lose her life with no one who loved her to watch over her and hold her hand in her final goodbye. Assuredly, Darcy and Elizabeth would see to the lady’s physical care, but who would care for her dreams? Who would worry for her future? He could not go against his father’s wishes, yet . . .
“You wished to speak to me, Colonel?” the housekeeper asked after opening the door with an introductory knock.
“Yes.” He turned to address the woman. “Am I correct in assuming you were employed by the late earl, rather than Mr. Jennings?”
“Yes, sir. I was engaged to Babbington Hall since I was a girl of fourteen years. I have long served the Jennings family, but, mainly, I served Lord Stephen Jennings as the 11th Earl of Babcock.”
“Good to know. Now, may I ask you to speak to how many others currently on staff were employed by the late earl?”
“Less than a dozen, I fear. Mostly those in the kitchen. Mr. Jennings brought a little over two dozen servants with him when he returned to the Hall after Lady Babcock departed for Lincolnshire. I am confident you are aware many of the positions were left open. We are seriously understaffed.”
“I understand perfectly,” he assured. “Are there many in the area who would care to return to employment at Babbington? I cannot imagine there are enough businesses to support such a large withdrawal of services.”
“There are, sir, though some departed for the larger cities in hope of work in the factories.”
“Then, I wish you to do the following: First, gather every staff member who was brought to Babbington by Mr. Jennings, including those in the stables and those responsible for repairs and such, in the servant hall in, say, a half hour. Is such possible?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Mr. Darcy and the young lord will address them at that time. Meanwhile, send a note to the land steward that he is to speak to Mr. Darcy and Lord Vincent tomorrow morning,” he instructed.
“Might I have permission to ask Mr. Purdy to return?” she asked.
“Who is Mr. Purdy?” he inquired.
“The house’s butler for some five and twenty years. He would be an asset in setting things right again. Mr. Jennings let him go without references, for Mr. Jennings ‘objected’ to Mr. Purdy’s ‘objections.’”
“Yes, definitely ask Purdy to speak to Darcy and the boy. Lord Vincent should be surrounded by those he recognizes and trusts.”
“Shall Mr. Darcy make his displeasure known as to the condition of the house?” she asked with a bit of apprehension.
Edward chuckled. “My cousin owns an estate that some say rivals Chatsworth. It runs with a simple lift of his brow in approval or disapproval. He is instructing the boy on the duties of an estate owner. Moreover, what Darcy cannot address, Mrs. Darcy will. My cousin’s wife has an eye for how a household runs efficiently, but she can be as ‘useful’ as a fishwife when one chooses not to follow her orders. Do not take my words as ill remarks. I adore Mrs. Darcy and so will you. However, I issue my warning not to be fooled by her petite figure.”
“I imagine I shall enjoy the lady’s presence in the household. She sounds as if she will restore this manor to its rightful glory.”
“Then I will permit you to be about your tasks,” he instructed.
“Gladly done, sir. I have been praying for this day for more than a year.”
Mr. Jessie returned with the treatment for Marksham’s wrists.
“Wait, ma’am,” Edward called. “Until I can speak to a proper authority, Mr. Jessie will be guarding Mr. Marksham in this room. If it is not too much trouble, I would prefer only you, or one person you designate to administer to them, deliver food to the pair. A chamber pot will also be required.”
“There is one behind the screen, sir.”
“Naturally, I should have considered such. Then that will be all, ma’am.”
To Mr. Jessie, he said, “You are not to open the door to anyone other than Mr. Darcy or Mrs. Murray or me. When Marksham eats or requires the necessity, you may release his hands, but never release his feet. Consider him of the nature of the stallion Miss Lambert and the boy assisted in tilting.”
“I understand, sir.”
“I must speak to Darcy before I go after Jennings. Lock the door behind me and keep the key on your person.” With that, he went in search of his cousin to apprise Darcy of what Marksham had confided and, hopefully, learn that Miss Lambert was not as near death as he feared.
Within a few seconds, he was standing in the open door of the lady’s room. Vincent scrambled up to race to his side. Edward instinctively knelt to wrap his arm about the boy.
“Her wound was . . . was deeper . . . than . . . Mr. Harwell thought,” the child said softly as he snuggled closer.
“Such does not mean Miss Lambert will not recover,” Edward stated in tones he hoped would convince them both. “It means it will take her longer, but she will recover.”
“Honestly, sir?”
“Keep repeating your prayers. God will hear you and recognize how much the lady means to all of us,” he instructed.
“You pray also, sir?” the child asked.
“Not as often as I should,” Edward admitted, “but I always pray for God’s assistance when I cannot do the deed without his hand on my shoulder. Men at war likely pray more often than do others.”
“I prayed my father would not die,” the child said innocently.
“I imagine such is true. I often pray my brother will live a long life, and, even so, I will likely feel ‘robbed’ when he passes. He was my dearest childhood companion. Yet, I must set my heart to believe God requires another good man at his side, and someday I will see Roland again. I often remind myself it would be selfish of me to wish Lindale to remain longer if he is in severe pain. I could not ask it of him. I understand your father was also suffering and God wished to end his misery by allowing him to pass in his sleep.”
“My father was an excellent man,” the boy declared. “If he was in deep pain, I am glad he rests with God, though I think of him every day.”
“I hear others speak of your father’s excellent good sense and his kindness, which is a true indication of how much respect many held for him. You must do him proud by being an equally kind and intelligent earl.” Darcy stepped away from Harwell’s side to join them, and Edward stood. “Let us three step into the hallway so I might share what I have learned from Marksham.”
Darcy nodded his agreement, but, first, he told Harwell, “We will be outside. Call out if you require my assistance with the lady.”
“Aye!” Harwell uttered, but he did not look up from his task.
Edward directed the boy to an upholstered bench along the wall and sat beside him. “I do not have the time to answer all your questions, for I must seek out Philip Jennings.” He noticed Darcy swallowed his question before he could ask it. “I am first calling on Jennings’s estate, but I do not expect to find him there, for Marksham claims, if they failed in killing our young Lord Babcock, they were all to travel to Hull to board a ship to take them to Italy.”
Darcy said, “Few ships which carry passengers, especially a party as large as the Jennings family, set in at Hull. Mostly trade ships. You may be required to chase them to London, though perhaps Norfolk would do.”
Edward had not considered the idea he might not discover Jennings in Hull. “Yet, to my advantage, such a large party will travel slower than a man on horseback.” With a heavy sigh, he resigned himself to be away from the estate longer than he wished. “Jennings promised to assist Marksham and the man’s mother. ‘Supposedly,’ Lord Marksham means to request a divorce before the Lords, claiming a question of paternity. Jennings told the man, that if he was the earl, he would help block Lord Marksham’s petition, leaving the young man’s mother a baroness and him still the heir to the barony.”
“I do not understand,” the boy stated.
“I will explain later,” Darcy assured. “We must permit the colonel to finish his story, for time is short.”
“Anyway,” Edward continued, “Mr. Jessie is set to guard Marksham until we can turn him over to a proper sheriff or magistrate. I forgot to ask who is available in the area.”
“I will see to it,” Darcy promised.
“That leads me to a task which should be addressed immediately if you are to know peace of mind. Less than a dozen of Lord Stephen Jennings’s staff remain at Babbington. I have instructed Mrs. Murray to gather the two dozen or so Philip Jennings brought with him from his estate and report to the servant hall in a half hour so you two might present them their walking orders. I have also given Mrs. Murray permission to rehire individuals she thought would restore the household to proper order. She has written to Mr. Purdy to return as the butler.”
“My father trusted Mr. Purdy,” the boy said in quiet tones.
Edward nodded his approval. “It might be best if you do not tell Jennings’s servants the man has deserted them. Permit them to discover the truth the hard way. I am confident Mrs. Murray will not provide them a letter of reference.”
Darcy said, “It appears we will share another teaching moment, my lord. This is the type of business a lord of the manor must oversee if he wishes to know peace in his household.”
The boy swallowed hard, but his shoulders rolled back into place as if he was prepared.
“I would appreciate it if after Mrs. Darcy has arrived and is able to assist you with a variety of matters that you might also provide Vincent a lesson on estate books. I fear Jennings has escaped with a large chunk of the earldom’s profits. I asked that the land steward call upon you and Vincent in the morning. You may also be required to summon the boy’s man of business.”
“Lord Babcock and I will practice our arithmetic skills. You do what you do best, Colonel, and I will assist Lord Babcock in managing the estate.”
“I was counting on your expertise,” Edward said with a grin. “I have sung both your and Elizabeth’s praises to Mrs. Murray. I warned the lady when you cock an eyebrow to run away fast.”
“Could you teach me to cock an eyebrow, sir?” the boy asked.
“It is a refined skill,” Darcy declared, “but we may practice it together.”
“I wish to speak to Mr. Harwell, and then I will set out after Jennings.”
“We will watch over Miss Lambert, sir,” the boy declared.
“I know, but I should have suspected something was afoot,” Edward shared in shame. “It was my responsibility to protect my brother’s household in his absence.”
Darcy said, “Go say your farewells to the woman. Explain your absence, but assure her that you will return soon.”